First proposed in 1987, the Central American Electricity Interconnection System (SIEPAC), a plan to create a more robust regional transmission grid in Central America, is scheduled to become operational this year. In order to allow economies of scale to occur, the aim is to harness the transmission project to create an integrated regional electricity market known as the Mercado Eléctrico Regional (MER). What are the potential benefits and downsides of the MER? What challenges does the integrated market face? What steps do the region's governments and institutions need to take to bring it to fruition?

Publisher

Inter-American Dialogue’s Latin American Energy Advisor

Citation

Inter-American Dialogue’s Latin American Energy Advisor. (2011 June 13-17). What is the Future of Energy Integration in Central America?, pp. 1, 3, 6.